❓ Ms. Davies questions the rejection of funding for the Wundowie bush fire brigade and its recognition as a vital asset. The parliamentary secretary responds that the application was deemed a lower priority due to existing fire services in the area.
AnsweredQoN 838Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WUNDOWIE BUSH FIRE BRIGADE
838. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Emergency Services:
I would like to acknowledge in the
public gallery members of Northam Women in Business who have been in Parliament
today, learning more about the parliamentary process and being entertained, I am
quite sure, during question time. It is lovely to have you here.
I refer to the Wundowie bush fire
brigade, which is currently housed in a Shire of Northam depot with minimal
facilities, which is a step up from the dilapidated shed with no water or power
they were in 12 months ago.
(1) Why has the
Shire of Northam's application for funding to build an appropriate
facility for the bush fire brigade been rejected on multiple occasions?
(2) Why does the
government refuse to acknowledge the Wundowie bush fire brigade as an important
asset in fire management for the west ward of the Shire of Northam and support
for neighbouring communities like Wooroloo in the Shire of Mundaring?
(3) Is the
government satisfied that the Wundowie bush fire brigade's 16 dedicated
volunteers will be left to operate from a makeshift base at the shire depot
shed ahead of a projected very high risk fire season?
838. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Emergency Services:
I would like to acknowledge in the
public gallery members of Northam Women in Business who have been in Parliament
today, learning more about the parliamentary process and being entertained, I am
quite sure, during question time. It is lovely to have you here.
I refer to the Wundowie bush fire
brigade, which is currently housed in a Shire of Northam depot with minimal
facilities, which is a step up from the dilapidated shed with no water or power
they were in 12 months ago.
(1) Why has the
Shire of Northam's application for funding to build an appropriate
facility for the bush fire brigade been rejected on multiple occasions?
(2) Why does the
government refuse to acknowledge the Wundowie bush fire brigade as an important
asset in fire management for the west ward of the Shire of Northam and support
for neighbouring communities like Wooroloo in the Shire of Mundaring?
(3) Is the
government satisfied that the Wundowie bush fire brigade's 16 dedicated
volunteers will be left to operate from a makeshift base at the shire depot
shed ahead of a projected very high risk fire season?
AnswerView source ↗
I
rise very pleased to address this question on behalf of the Minister for
Emergency Services and I thank the member for the question on his
behalf. I would like to provide some information that was given to me today as
background to the member in relation to her question.
(1)–(3) The
local government grant scheme funding request was considered by the local
government grant scheme bushfire service capital grants committee. The
committee did not support the application and it provided the following
information, according to my notes —
The Wundowie application was deemed a
lower priority than other requests and the addition of a bush fire brigade was
not supported by DFES due to the Wundowie town site and surrounds being
serviced by volunteer fire and rescue services.
The government acknowledges that
all bush fire brigades are important assets, including Wundowie bush fire brigade. The Shire of Northam has 10
registered bush fire brigades within the shire, including Wundowie and
most Wundowie bush fire brigades are dual registered with other nearby
brigades.
I want to acknowledge on behalf of
the minister the significant preparations underway by DFES, bush fire brigades
and volunteer brigades right across Western Australia, including in the member's
electorate. I understand and appreciate that
this will be a very difficult fire season. On behalf of the Cook government ,
I want to thank all our volunteer and career fire services for helping keep our
communities safe in the upcoming fire season.
rise very pleased to address this question on behalf of the Minister for
Emergency Services and I thank the member for the question on his
behalf. I would like to provide some information that was given to me today as
background to the member in relation to her question.
(1)–(3) The
local government grant scheme funding request was considered by the local
government grant scheme bushfire service capital grants committee. The
committee did not support the application and it provided the following
information, according to my notes —
The Wundowie application was deemed a
lower priority than other requests and the addition of a bush fire brigade was
not supported by DFES due to the Wundowie town site and surrounds being
serviced by volunteer fire and rescue services.
The government acknowledges that
all bush fire brigades are important assets, including Wundowie bush fire brigade. The Shire of Northam has 10
registered bush fire brigades within the shire, including Wundowie and
most Wundowie bush fire brigades are dual registered with other nearby
brigades.
I want to acknowledge on behalf of
the minister the significant preparations underway by DFES, bush fire brigades
and volunteer brigades right across Western Australia, including in the member's
electorate. I understand and appreciate that
this will be a very difficult fire season. On behalf of the Cook government ,
I want to thank all our volunteer and career fire services for helping keep our
communities safe in the upcoming fire season.
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